BOROBUDUR BUDDHA TEMPLE IN YOGYAKARTA: 9 TIPS FOR YOUR VISIT
April 1, 2024
The Borobudur Buddha Temple is the largest Buddhist monument in the world. Located in Yogyakarta, here’ are 9 tips for your visit.
A trip to Indonesia is an intense experience that will take you to different islands. Indonesia is a country with a rich history and diverse traditions, and a touring trip is the perfect way to explore it.
A trip of 2 weeks in Indonesia will let you visit a few islands and split your holiday into two parts. One part is for exploring Indonesia’s top sights and the other is for relaxing on the country’s beautiful beaches. From Java to Bali, from Nusa Penida to the Gili islands, here’s our ‘Indonesia travel itinerary 2 weeks’!
Indonesia is a wonderful country made up of thousands of different islands with unique characteristics. This is why we think a trip to Indonesia should be more than just a visit to one island. An itinerant trip to Indonesia will allow you to get to know different environments, from the sea to rice fields, from waterfalls to temples, and also different cultures, such as the Hindu culture of Bali and the Muslim culture of Java.
Of course, unless you have months to travel, you have to make a choice about which places to visit. As our first trip to Indonesia, we focused on the better-known islands and, after a bit of research, we managed to put together our ‘Indonesia Itinerary 2 weeks’. This tour to travel for 2 weeks in Indonesia will allow you to visit five islands: Java, Bali, Nusa Penida, Gili Meno and Gili Air.
Ready to go? Here’s our ‘Indonesia travel itinerary 2 weeks’!
On the first day of our “Indonesia travel itinerary 2 weeks”, we arrived at Yogyakarta airport in the early afternoon after a long journey via Doha and Jakarta.
From Bandar Udara International Airport, we reached the city of Yogyakarta by taxi with the Blue Bird company in about an hour. We wanted to make the most of our first ‘half’ day of our ‘Indonesia itinerary 2 weeks’. So, we went on an evening tour, which left at the end of the day, to find out more about the city of Yogyakarta and its street food.
This evening tour by becak, the typical mode of transport on the island, allowed us to explore the city and its neighbourhoods, passing through the famous Malioboro street to the Keraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat, Yogyakarta’s royal palace. In the meantime, we were able to try some of Java’s typical dishes, such as bakpia, gudeg and wedang ronde in traditional establishments. We started with the delicious bakpia made in the neighbourhood where all the producers of these fantastic snacks are located, followed by a gudeg dinner in a warung and ended in Alun-Alun Lor Park with wedang ronde.
It was a great experience, perfect to get into the Indonesian mood and start our “Indonesia itinerary 2 weeks”. If you want to know more, stay connected with us, well’publish soon one article about this exciting experience!
Wedang Ronde
If you decide to spend two weeks in Indonesia, you must visit Borobudur, the largest Buddhist temple in the world, and the temple complex of Prambanan.
On day two of our “Indonesia Itinerary 2 weeks”, we spent the whole day at these two incredible places. However, we decided not to go on one of the classic car tours. We wanted to make the most of our time to get to know and explore the surroundings of Yogyakarta, so we did this tour by bicycle! It was a truly unique and out-of-the-ordinary experience, exhausting but extremely interesting. We passed through Yogyakarta’s streets, cultivated fields, green rice paddies, tropical forests and traditional villages. We got to see all this on the bike ride from Borobudur to Prambanan, making the most of every moment of our day.
The tour lasted the whole day, starting early in the morning to visit Borobudur at opening time and then setting off on our bicycle tour until we arrived in Prambanan mid-afternoon.
The second day of our “Indonesia itinerary 2 weeks” was the most tiring, but also the most beautiful and interesting. The two temple complexes are incredible, and the bike tour is a great way to experience everyday life in Java.
Borobudur stupas
Prambanan
From Borobudur to Prambanan by bicycle
The Borobudur Buddha Temple is the largest Buddhist monument in the world. Located in Yogyakarta, here’ are 9 tips for your visit.
On the third day of our “Indonesia travel itinerry 2 weeks”, we left Yogyakarta airport in the morning and arrived at Denpasar airport in Bali in the early afternoon. From here, we left with our driver to head to Ubud, where we had booked accommodation for five days.
In the afternoon, we visited the centre of Ubud, which is one of the most popular places in Bali. We strolled through the main streets, which have lots of bars, restaurants and shops. One of the coolest spots in downtown Ubud is the traditional market street, where you can find all kinds of local handicrafts, colorful clothes, jewelry, and tropical fruits.
In the evening, we checked out the Palace of Ubud, where traditional Indonesian dance performances are held, with dancers wearing traditional clothes and carrying beautiful animal masks. We wrapped up the third day of our “Indonesia travel itinerary 2 weeks” with a great dinner in the center of Ubud.
On the fourth day of our travel of 2 weeks in Indonesia, we planned an early morning wake-up call to take advantage of the time when there are few tourists around and headed straight for the terraced rice fields of Abian Desa. These terraced rice fields are located next to the more visited and well-known ones in Tegallalang, but we can assure you that they are just as beautiful. We spent about an hour exploring the rice fields, following the path down the green terraces and across the fields where you can see the farmers at work wearing the typical cone-shaped headgear. The jungle surrounding the terraced rice paddies, which form a kind of canyon, is a must-see on a trip of 2 weeks in Indonesia.
After visiting the rice paddies, we headed to the Pura Gunung temple, which isn’t on the usual tourist routes but is a hidden gem of Bali. It’s a very old temple, dating back to the 11th century, with sacred pools for purification rituals. Some of these pools contain koi and water lilies, and it’s a very quiet and relaxing place, unlike other temples we visited that are crowded with tourists.
On the third day of our “Indonesia travel itinerary 2 weeks”, we visited the famous Tirta Empul temple, which is one of the most popular with tourists. This temple is very large, with beautiful pools for the purification ritual and extremely beautiful. Unfortunately, due to the large influx of tourists, the intimate and meditative atmosphere we experienced at Pura Gunung is missing.
After visiting the temples, we headed to the Segara Windhu coffee plantation to find out more about the production of the famous Indonesian coffee, known as Kopi Luwak. Its name is made up of two words: Kopi means coffee, while Luwak means mongoose. Yes, you read that right: Indonesian coffee is produced thanks to the mongoose, which, by eating the coffee beans, modifies the flavour by digesting it, giving it roasted notes. The peculiarity is that the coffee produced by the male luwaks tastes different from the coffee produced by the females. At the plantation, you can have a tasting to appreciate the differences. You can also try other types of coffee and herbal teas, which are enriched with ingredients like mangosteen and mango.
We ended this day of our “Indonesia travel itinerary 2 weeks” with a visit to one of Ubud’s most famous sights: the Monkey Forest. The visit to the Monkey Forest is a very entertaining experience: you will walk through a real forest inhabited by hundreds of monkeys, which will roam freely among you. Beware, they might try to steal something from you, so watch out for sunglasses on your head, smartphones, hats, etc.! Inside this forest you will also see a Hindu temple and a traditional Balinese cemetery.
Ubud Monkey Forest
Pura Gunung Kawi Sebatu temple
Abian Desa terraced rice fields
Day five of our “Indonesia itinerary 2 weeks” took us to the southern part of Bali, where there are incredible beaches and temples by the sea.
The first place we visited was Nunggalan beach, which we found after a bit of searching for lesser-known places in Bali. In fact, this beach was not even on our driver’s radar, but we can assure you that it is a beautiful place. To get there, you have to walk down a long path with lots of steps for about half an hour, but it’s worth it!
It’s a very long stretch of golden beach and clear sea, surrounded by majestic mountains covered in jungle vegetation, where there will have been a maximum of a dozen people. There’s also a shipwreck on the beach, which adds to the atmosphere of a remote and wild beach, far away from everything and everyone.
After a tough climb (take plenty of water with you), we headed to the temple of Uluwatu, located on a cliff with a breathtaking panoramic view of the sea. This temple is one of many built along the coast to protect Bali from the forces of the sea.
Near the Uluwatu temple is the beach of the same name, very popular with surfers. To reach the beach, one has to descend along the cliff with a path of many steps. The beach is tucked away inside a real cave, which protects it from the sea. We stopped for a break at the bar on the cliff, where you can watch the surfers frolic in the waves and enjoy the view of the coast and the sea.
We left in the early afternoon because the traffic in this area is pretty bad, and our last stop was the temple of Tanah Lot, which is one of the most famous temples for watching the sunset in Bali. In the Kuta area, near Tanah Lot, it’s easy to get caught in a long queue, so we suggest you get there well before the sun sets.
We wrapped up our “Indonesia itinerary 2 weeks” with a great dinner in Ubud, served on a terrace overlooking the jungle.
Uluwatu beach
Sunset at Tanah Lot temple
On the sixth day of our “Indonesia travel itinerary 2 weeks”, we focused on the waterfalls of Bali, starting with the Taman Sari waterfall. This beautiful waterfall is not very busy, especially in the early hours of the day, and you can take a swim under the waterfall and enjoy a great shoulder and head massage under the waterfall’s spray.
Next up was Tibumana, which you can reach via a path that winds through the jungle and follows a stream until you reach the clearing where the waterfall forms a small lake where you can bathe.
Our third stop was the Goa Rang Reng waterfall, which gushes between the rocks and continues its path through the jungle, creating natural corridors between the rocks and the vegetation.
On the sixth day of our 15-day Indonesia itinerary, we visited Kanto Lampo, which was by far the most crowded waterfall we saw. These waterfalls are very beautiful because they ‘slide’ down the rock face surrounded by jungle, creating a very ‘Instagrammable’ effect. In fact, long queues of tourists form along the steps leading to the falls, wanting to take a photo under the waterfall. Just in front of the waterfall is a small cave, which you can reach by crossing the stream and following a path that runs in front of the falls.
We ended the day with a visit to the Pura Peseh Desa Batuan temple, which is nearby and not very crowded. The temple is very large and you can enjoy a peaceful walk away from the hustle and bustle.
We ended this sixth day of our “Indonesia Itinerary 2 weeks” in a typical restaurant in Ubud.
Taman Sari waterfall
Tibumana waterfall
Goa Rang Reng waterfall
On the seventh day of our “Indonesia travel itinerary 2 weeks”, we headed to the famous Tegenungan waterfall, one of the largest and most popular on the island, to try to avoid the busiest time for tourists. The waterfall is very large and definitely worth your visit if you are on a trip of 2 weeks in Indonesia. There is also a café with a viewing terrace near the waterfall, where you can take a break and admire the view.
Next up on our tour of 2 weeks in Indonesia was the carpenters’ quarter. Here you’ll find workshops and handicraft shops where wooden artefacts of all sizes are handmade. From small figurines and knick-knacks to finely inlaid chairs and furniture, there’s plenty to see.
In the afternoon, we explored the rice paddies and jungle that extend around the centre of Ubud and which can be reached via footpaths that start from the central area. These include the Campuhan Ridge walk and the Sweet Orange. Both of these walks offer breathtaking views of Bali’s lush nature and are a great way to relax, soak up the island’s atmosphere and connect with its natural beauty.
We wrapped up our “Indonesia travel itinerary 2 weeks” with a candlelit dinner in the jungle. It was a really romantic and unique experience!
Tegenungan waterfall
Candlelit dinner in the jungle of Bali
On the eighth day of our “Indonesia itinerary 2 weeks”, we went to explore the island of Nusa Penida, located near Bali and reachable by fast boat from the port of Sanur.
The journey time is about 45 minutes and the cost of a return ticket is about €30 per person.
We left early in the morning so that we could be in Nusa Penida around 9 a.m. and be able to go on a two-hour snorkelling excursion to some very interesting spots: manta ray bay and dolphin bay, Crystal bay, Gamat bay and the coral garden at Manet beach. You can book this excursion with one of the local agencies located near the port of Nusa Penida.
After snorkelling and a quick lunch, we headed to the west coast beaches, Nusa Penida’s most famous:
We returned to Bali in the late afternoon, ending with an excellent dinner in the centre of Ubud and a stroll through the market in search of souvenirs!
On the ninth day of our “Indonesia travel itinerary 2 weeks”, we headed to the port of Padang Bai in the morning to catch the fast boat that took us to Gili Meno.
Gili Meno is the smallest and quietest of the three Gili islands, the ideal place for couples and those seeking calm and tranquillity. There are several snorkelling spots around the island, the most famous of which is the statue nest, a much-visited underwater installation. We’d recommend visiting the nest early in the morning, before the excursion boats arrive, as it’s much quieter then. There are also some great spots with beautiful coral gardens.
In the evening, you can go for dinner at one of the clubs along the beach and stop for a drink while listening to live reggae music!
Gili Meno
The nest at Gili Meno
The last three days of our “Indonesia travel itinerary 2 weeks” were spent in Gili Air, the ‘average’ of the three Gili islands. It’s not as chaotic as Gili Trawangan but with more locals than Gili Meno. It’s a little larger than Gili Meno, so it’s a good choice for a holiday in the Gili.
Gili Air also has a few snorkelling spots and the island is better served than Gili Meno, but it’s still not as crowded. There are various restaurants and plenty of shops to choose from.
On the last day, we reached the island of Lombok by a five-minute boat ride and arrived at the airport about an hour later with a private driver. From here, we took an internal flight to Jakarta, from where we returned to Italy.
If you want to know more about the Gili Islands, we’d recommend reading the article below!
Gili Air
Crystal-clear waters, beach clubs and no vehicles make the Gili Islands three little paradises in the Indonesian sea. Which is the best Gili Island to visit?
As you have read, our “Indonesia travel itinerary 2 weeks” included a more strenuous first part, dedicated to sightseeing and excursions, and a second part relaxing by the sea. We found it to be the right balance and hope this article will help you in planning your tour of 2 weeks in Indonesia. We have dedicated several articles to our trips to Indonesia and recommend you take a look at the related articles! Stay connected with us via social channels and, as always…trip to try!
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